Dual concealed separable fastener



Dec. 24, 1963 L. H. MORlN 3,114,954

DUAL CONCEALED SEPARABLE FASTENER Filed April 21, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 as I /5 INVENTOR.

f7 TTORA/E Y Dec. 24, 1963 H. MORIN DUAL CONCEALED SEPARABLE FASTENER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 21, 1961 x &5 g

INVENTOR. Lou/5 h. MGR/N BY HTTORNEY United States Patent 3,114,954 DUAL CONCEALED SEPARABLE FATENER Louis H. Morin, Bronx, I l-Y. (125 Beechwood Ave, New Rochelle, NX.) Filed Apr. 21, 196i, er. No. 1%,565 1 Claim. (Cl. 242tl5.l2)

This invention relates to separable fastener stringers, wherein scoops are fixed to one surface only of the stringer tapes, providing what I term a one-sided stringer. Further, the invention relates to a scoop structure for stringers of this type and kind which is so constructed as to couple and uncouple scoops with the scoop surfaces of the stringers adjacent to thus provide on the resulting fastener concealment of the scoops in viewing the coupled fastener from either outer plain surface of the stringers. This construction thus produces what I term the dual concealed separable fastener.

More particularly, the invention deals with stringer structures of the character described, wherein opposed sides of each scoop of the stringers have laterally projecting coupling members interlocking with corresponding members on the scoops of a companion stringer in positively retaining the coupled stringers against separation when subjected to stresses or strains in any direction.

Still more particularly, the invention deals with a fastener structure of the character described, wherein sliders are employed for bringing scoop surfaces of a pair of stringers into overlapped relationship to each other in coupling and uncoupling the scoops on said scoop surfaces of the stringers.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged diagrammatic sectional view showing the scoop of one stringer and two scoops of a companion stringer in coupled engagement therewith, the section being substantially on the line 11 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view on the irregular line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing a side view of one of the scoops and a sectioned portion of the coupling member of another scoop.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic sectional view on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing one complete scoop in section and portions of adjacent scoops and illustrating the overlapped engagement of the coupling members of scoops of a pair of stringers.

FIG. 4 is a reduced sectional view generally similar to FIG. 1, also illustrating a sectional view through the contracted end portion of the slider as shown in FIG. 5, the section through the slider being generally on the line 44 of FIG. 5 and omitting all background showing of the slider.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4, in other words, a sectional view of the separable fastener generally similar to FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing a modification.

FIG. 7 is a view, generally similar to FIG. 5, diagrammatically showing a modified form of separable fastener and slider for coupling the stringers of the fastener.

FIG. 8 is a section on the line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of part of one stringer and a scoop on said stringer; and

FIG. 10 is a top plan View of the slider shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, omitting the stringers.

The distinctive feature in my present separable fastener construction resides in providing on a pair of stringers of a separable fastener scoop structures disposed only on 3,114,954 Patented Dec. 24, 1963 one surface of the stringer tapes and in coupling and uncoupling the scoops of the stringers by overlapping adjacent scoop surfaces of the stringers to produce on the resulting coupled fastener a structure, wherein the scoops are invisible in viewing the coupled fastener from either plain or non-scocp surf-ace of the stringers of the fastener.

This structure, in providing what I term a double concealment, has the added advantage of adapting fasteners of this type and kind to uses where it is desirable to provide smooth surfaces on what might be termed outer surfaces of the coupled stringers. Fasteners of this type and kind are particularly desirable for use upon apparel of various types and kinds or, in conjunction with other articles or products where concealment is desirable at both outer surfaces of the coupled stringers.

In FIGS. 1 to 6, inclusive, I have illustrated one type of scoop structure and, in FIGS. 4 and 5, I have illustrated a slider for coupling such scoop structures of separable fastener stringers, FIG. 6 modifying the structure of FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive, in the manner of shaping the stringer tape and attachment of the scoops thereto.

As both stringers are of the same construction, the brief description of one will apply to both, the reference numerals being primed on the two stringers to distinguish one from the other. Considering FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawing, it ill represent the stringer tapes of the fastener, each having adjacent the free edge thereof a pair of beads 11, 11' projecting on what I will term the scoop surface 12, 12' of the stringers. Fixed to the surfaces 12, 12 are scoops l3, 13 which engage both of the beads 11, II. In forming the scoops l3, 13' of molded or cast materials, the pressure of injecting these materials into the die cavities will force the materials into the interstices of the braid of the tapes and the beads in securely fixing the scoops thereto.

The scoops have contracted coupling ends or heads 14, 14 extending to the free edge portions of the tapes, as clearly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing. The inner coupling portions 15, 15' of the scoops have bevelled sides l6, l6 interlocking with the contracted heads 14', 14, respectively, of scoops of companion stringers in establishing coupling engagement between the stringers to prevent lateral separation thereof. Each scoop includes, substantially centrally thereof, a channel 17, 17' extending from the surface of the tape to the wall 18 of said channel, the Wall or surface of the scoops 13' being indicated, in part, at 18' in FIG. 2 of the drawing. In other words, this wall or surface continues outwardly onto laterally projecting coupling members l9, 19 at sides of the scoops intermediate the end portions 14, 15; 14', 15', as clearly illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawing. To facilitate coupling engagement, outer surfaces of the members 19, 19' are rounded, as will clearly appear from a consideration of FIGS. 1 and 5.

From a consideration of FIG. 1 of the drawing and, more particularly, in consideration of FIG. 3, it will be seen that the surfaces 18' of the coupling members 19' overlie the surfaces 18 of the coupling members 19- of the scoops 13. This construction establishes a definite coupling engagement between the scoops to prevent separation thereof.

From the foregoing, it Will be apparent that the projecting members 19 of the scoops 13 project into the channels 17' of the scoops 13'; whereas, the coupling members H" project into the channels 17 of the scoops 13.

In FIG. 5 of the drawing, I have diagrammatically illustrated the coupling and uncoupling of the scoops of the stringers in the use of a slider 20. The slider has opposed walls 21 and 22, note FIG. 4, including flanged sides 23 and 24, respectively, the walls 21 :and 22 being joined in a web 25 at the wide or flared end portion of the slider. It will appear that the flanged sides 23, 24

terminate short of the walls 22, 21, respectively, to provide passages through which the tapes pass.

it will appear from a consideration of FIG. 4 of the drawing that the flanged sides 23, 24 are so formed as to guide the two stringers through the wide or flared end of the slider 20 into the contracted end 26 thereof, which end is shown in section in FIG. 4 and also indicated in FIG. 5 of the drawing. In passage through the contracted end of the slider 20, the scoop surfaces will be in completely overlapped relationship to each other and the scoops of both stringers will be concealed in viewing the coupled stringers of the fastener from either outer or nonscoop side of the stringers. It will be apparent that the showing in the accompanying drawing is extremely e11- larged for clarity. However, in actual practice, the scoops are very thin in their projection from the surfaces 12, 12' of the stringers and this can be more fully appreciated in the diagrammatic illustration of the thickness of the stringer tapes disclosed.

In the modification shown in FIG. 6, the scoops are of identical structure to the scoops shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive, the only difference being that the stringer tapes are supported in an offset or folded relationship, as in dicated at 27, 27 in said figure in the operation of securing the scoops to the stringer tapes; thus, the bent or offset portions 27, 27 will be secured to the surfaces of the scoops, as at 28, 23 by virtue of the material of the scoops extending into the interstices of the braid of 27, 27', establishing a more positive engagement of the scoops with the stringer tapes and also positioning the extended ends 29, 29 of the tapes in a common plane which will more readily adapt these ends for attachment to supports, in connection with which the fastener is employed. This construction also operates to at least partially conceal end surfaces of the scoops, thus providing greater concealment of the scoops.

No detailed description of the scoops in FIG. 6 is deemed to be necessary in view of the previous description of the identical scoops.

In FIGS. 7 to inclusive, I have shown another adaptation of my invention, wherein two similar stringer tapes 3%), 30 are employed, each having a single head 31, 31'. 32, 32 may be said to define scoop attaching surfaces of said stringers, to which scoops 33, 33' are attached. In constructing the scoops of molded or cast materials, the pressure of injecting such materials into die cavities forming the scoops will result in extending the material of the scoops into the interstices of the braid of the tapes and the beads in securely fixing the scoops in conjunction with the tapes. The scoops 33, 33' have, at opposed sides thereof, laterally projecting coupling members 34, 34 having inwardly bevelled surfaces 35, 35'. When the scoops are coupled together, as illustrated at the lower part of FIG. 7 of the drawing, the surfaces 35, 35' are overlapped with respect to each other to securely couple the scoops of the stringers in preventing separation of coupled stringers.

Outer surfaces of the scoops have, centrally thereof, longitudinal rounded grooves or channels 36, 36 surficiently large to freely receive the projecting portion of the beads of companion stringers, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 8 of the drawing; in other words, the head 31' of the stringer 30' is adapted to seat in the grooves 36 of the scoops 33 and, in like manner, the beads 31 seat in the grooves 36 of the scoops 33', as will clearly appear from a consideration of FIG. 7. This engagement of the scoops with the beads of companion stringers retains the coupled stringers against lateral separation.

In FIG. 9 of the drawing is the face view of a small portion of the tape 30, including the head 31 thereon and a single scoop 33 in order to clearly illustrate the laterally extending projecting members 34 at sides of the scoop and also to more clearly illustrate the channel or groove 36 for reception of the bead of the companion stringer.

With the type of fastener shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, I employ a slider 37 having top and bottom walls 38 extending from the contracted end 39 onto the major portion of the flared end portion 40 of the slider. Integral with the top and bottom walls are side 'wall portions 41 which extend from one wall 38 to a point adjacent the opposed wall 38 but short of said wall to form passages 4-2, note FIG. 10, through which the stringer tapes pass. The side walls 41 are joined centrally of the flared end portion of the slider in a connecting web 43, which divides the flared end portion of the slider into two channels into and through which the stringers pass, as with other devices of this type and kind.

It will be apparent from a consideration of FIG. 7 that, where the flared portion joins the contracted end 39 of the slider, the top and bottom walls 38 are relieved,

as indicated at 38, to allow for fiexure of the stringer tapes in the operation of coupling and uncoupling the stringers and the illustration of this flexure at 44 at the left of FIG. 7 is purely diagrammatic, as is also the positioning of the adjacent scoop 33' on the stringer 30'. The purpose or" the relieved portions 38' is to avoid establishing any objectionable binding action in the operation of coupling and uncoupling the stringers in movement of the slider along the stringers.

In describing the slider shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 10, no specific reference is made to the top and bottom wall of the slider, it being understood that the conventional pull employed on devices of this type and kind will be mounted in connection with what would constitute the top or operating wall of the slider. It is quite apparent, however, that either of the walls could be regarded as the top wall and, in some uses of the fastener, pulls might be employed on both of the walls 38 to facilitate operation from either wall of the slider.

It will be apparent from a consideration of FIGS. 8 and 10 of the drawing that the slider 37 has the walls 41 cutaway in forming the openings 42 for passage of the stringer tapes through what would normally be top and bottom walls of a slider of conventional construction. However, the walls 38 actually comprise top and bottom walls. Here, the walls 38, which are comparable to the flanged flared walls of a conventional slider, extend the full depth of the slider body, as will appear from a consideration of these figures. In contrast, the slider 20 differs from a conventional slider in having various thickness flanges at one edge only of each of the side walls of the slider, the other edge being unflanged and this structure compensates for the movement of the stringer tapes through the slider body as the scoops are brought into engagement with each other.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A dual concealed separable fastener, comprising a pair of stringers each located in a plane displaced from but parallel to the plane of the other stringer when the stringers are engaged, each stringer including a stringer tape, scoops fixed at spaced intervals longitudinally of one scoop surface only of each of said stringer tapes, means on said scoops for limiting the meshing and unmeshing movement of the scoops to relative motion of the scoops in a plane parallel to and intermediate the planes of the respective stringer tapes, the scoops of each stringer having at sides thereof projecting coupling members operatively engaging corresponding coupling members of scoops of the companion stringer in securing said stringers together against separation in one direction, other means securing the scoops together in a direction substantially at right angles to said first named direction, said last named means comprising operatively engaging outwardly contracted coupling heads and inner beveled coupling portions of scoops of companion stringers, said scoops including channels adjacent the stringer tapes for reception of the coupling members of scoops of a companion stringer, said channels arranged intermediate the length of said scoops and parallel to the edge of the 2,077,350 Sundback Apr. 13,11937 stringer tape on which the scoop is mounted and closed 2,087,456 Sundback July 20, 1937 on three sides by the body of the scoop and on the fourth 2,283,018 Seltzer May 12, 1942 side by [the stringer tape on which the scoops are mounted 2,959,833 Ryser Nov. 15, 1960 and opened at each end to receive a portion of the com- 5 2,993,252 Deheld July 25, 1961 plementary engaging scoop of a companion stringer. FOREIGN PATENTS References Cited in the file of this patent llirance fiept. 1226, 1338 rance an. 39 UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 477,928 Canada Oct. 16, 11951 1,746,565 Sundback 11, 1930 309,534 Switzerland Nov. 16, 1955 2,074,624 Schweinburg Mar. 23, 1937 

